Welcome to your monthly EFL Championship Roundup, where hoddle headquarters takes a look at what’s going on in the second tier of the English football pyramid.
In the previous edition of the EFL Championship Roundup, I took a look at the race for the automatics (with Leeds, Shef Utd, Burnley and Sunderland comprising the lead back). Today, let’s take a look at the opposite end of the table with clubs that appear destined for relegation.
Bottom Three: Derby County, Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle
It’s hard to see any of these three clubs not get relegated this season. First, there’s Derby County, who’ve lost seven consecutive matches. The only possible bright spot for them is at an FA Cup defeat to Leyton Orient means they can potentially just focus on survival now.
Then you have Luton Town, who are staring down back-to-back relegations. I’m not sure how Town ended up here with Callum Morris and Elijah Adebayo still on the squad. I also have no clue how Rob Edwards is still their manager.
But neither of those look as bad as Argyle, who somehow managed to draw against Sunderland after a 5-0 defeat to Burnley just the other week. Their goal differential (-35) is atrocious and have now lost forward Morgan Whittaker to Boro. Hard to see things getting better.
Also in the mix: Cardiff, Hull, Stoke, Portsmouth
Are there teams who can fall into the relegation zone? Of course, with Portmsouth being the main contender. Currently just two points separate Hull, Stoke, and Portsmouth (all on 29) and Derby County (27). So, yes it can happen. But, again, Derby have lost seven in a row.
Cardiff City seem to have done enough after going 3-4-0 in their last seven matches, with their most recent defeat coming against Oxford United on Boxing Day. On the flipside of that is Stoke City, who haven’t won since December 29.
Top six:
1. Leeds (59 Pts, +34 GD, 28 MP)
2. Sheffield United (58 Pts, +19 GD, 29 MP)
3. Burnley (56 Pts, +27 GD, 28 MP)
4. Sunderland (55 Pts, +18 GD, 29 MP)
5. WBA (44 Pts, +13 GD, 29 MP)
6. Middlesbrough (44 Pts, +11 GD, 29 MP)
Bottom three:
22. Derby (27 Pts, -8 GD, 29 MP)
23. Luton Town (26 Pts, -19 GD, 29 MP)
24. Plymouth Argyle (22 Pts, -35 GD, 29 MP)
Fitzie’s track of the day: Lipstick Vogue, by Elvis Costello
And now for your links:
Dan KP: “Ange Postecoglou hints at ‘frenetic’ transfer activity but offers word of warning”
The Guardian: “Dejan Kulusevski leaps to defence of Postecoglou and struggling Spurs”
The Athletic ($$): “Once given away for free, the Ted Lasso rookie card is now worth thousands of dollars”
The Telegraph: “Jhon Duran nears £65m exit after Aston Villa angered by Arsenal’s Ollie Watkins bid”
The Independent: “Leeds and Burnley’s predictable stalemate shows the grim reality of the Championship’s promotion race”